Libyan forces prepare 'decisive' assault against IS stronghold

Libya pro-government forces backed by US air strikes said on Sunday they would soon launch a final assault to retake the coastal city of Sirte from the Islamic State jihadist group.
“The countdown of the final stage of the military operations against Daesh has started,” forces loyal to the Tripoli-based national unity government said in a statement, using an Arabic acronym for ISIS.
“The operation’s leaders held intensive meetings to prepare for the final and decisive battles to eradicate the Daesh gang from the city of Sirte”, they said in a statement.
A Sunday post on the operation’s Facebook page showed a photo of men in uniform examining a map of the city, which the jihadist group seized in June 2015.
Fighters allied to the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) have waged a fierce weeks-long battle to retake the city about 45km east of Tripoli.
Pro-GNA forces launched the campaign in May and entered the city in June, but their progress slowed down as the jihadists hit back with sniper fire, suicide attacks and car bombings.
Pro-government forces have since Thursday sought to reach ISIS headquarters at the Ouagadougou conference centre inside the town.
The United States have since Monday been carrying out air raids on ISIS positions in Sirte at the GNA’s request.